The 5 Stages of Second Language Acquisition

Have you ever wondered how we acquire language ?

Do you know what language acquisition means?

Do you know the difference between first language acquisition and

second language acquisition?

"We all speak a language, some people speak multiple. But most of us
don’t even think about how we actually acquired these languages".

Language learning vs. language acquisition

Speech pathologists are often asked if all language development will

occur in the same way.

“My child acquired their first language automatically, will the same
happen in their second language?”

In many ways, the way in which a child will develop their second
language depends on the age and manner in which this second language is
exposed.

 A simultaneous bilingual is an individual who is exposed to their

first and second languages at the same time.
 A sequential bilingual develops their second language after their
first. Typically, if a child is exposed to their second language past the
age of three, they will generally become a sequential bilingual

First Language Acquisition

When children develop their first language, the process is an automatic,
subconscious one. Children typically do not require explicit instruction
for their first language to develop. Here, the process of “language

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acquisition” is occurring. This can also be the case for bilingual or
multilingual children who learn more than language from birth.

Second Language Acquisition

In contrast, if a child is a sequential bilingual, they will require explicit
teaching to support their second language’s development. This process is
known as “language learning”.

Unfortunately, explicit teaching of grammatical rules does not necessarily

mean that a sequential bilingual child will be able to speak and write with
ease. Time, practice and real social experiences are needed to support the
language learning process.

The 5 stages of second language acquisition

Linguists often consider and consider second language acquisition to

occur in five key stages. While there is some debate over the intricacies of
the five stages, there is general consensus that:

1. Silent or receptive phase

In this first stage, second language learners dedicate time to learning

vocabulary of the new language. They may also practice saying new
terms.

While there likely is talking happening at this stage (there is controversy

over whether second language learners are ever truly “silent”), a second
language learner does not produce their new language with functional
fluency or comprehension.

Speech-tip: It will be essential to continue providing rich, meaningful

language modelling and exposure during this stage. You can support
a child’s understanding of new vocabulary and language by
providing visual and concrete models to help the words that they are
hearing.

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2. Early production

This second phase involves the second language user beginning to

“collect” new words. During this time they may also start to say some
terms and may even begin forming short phrases of early word
combinations.

Speech-tip: You may find that children can begin to comprehend

written material when they reach this stage. Expose children to
simple written texts with illustrations to help their understanding. 

3. Speech emergence or production

By the time second language learners enter into this third stage, they have
collected several thousand words. This is an exciting phase as they begin
to communicate by combining these learned words into short phrases and
sentences – their second language is truly becoming “connected”.

This connectedness will also afford increases in the understanding of their

new language, and you may see your child beginning to read and write in
their second language at this stage.

Speech-tip: Continue to provide meaningful, functional opportunities

for children in the ‘speech emergence’ phrase to express themselves
through. Practising a second language through spoken or written
mediums will support further sentence development. 

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4. Intermediate fluency
The fourth level of second language acquisition is said to occur when
speakers begin communicating in complex sentences (that is, sentences
will include conjunctions to sequence and connect related clauses).

This is a critical stage for allowing even more connected language and
true conversations to emerge. Second language learners may also begin to
think in their second language at this time, again reflecting the significant
progress that has been made.

Speech-tip: By targeting narratives (both fictional and personal

narratives – that is, stories about your own experiences) we can
ensure that children in the ‘intermediate fluency’ level can express
their thoughts and feelings in a connected manner. As children can
use their second language for such meaningful purposes, their second
language proficiency will continue to deepen. 

5. Continued language development or fluency

This stage may last for an extended time. Here, second language learners
will continue to develop their new language and to achieve accuracy with
increasing complexity and with social pragmatics.

Speech-tip: Continued practice and exposure will continue to

consolidate second language learning in the ‘fluency’ phase. Teachers
who have students in the ‘fluency’ phase can continue to provide
language scaffolding through curricular content-area learning.

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Ref:  https://bilingualkidspot.com/2018/09/19/5-stages-of-second-languageacquisition/